Research Question: What are the possitives and negatives with abstinence only education and what are the currents facts about it? Contributed by: Bryce L. Monahan
An Evaluation of an Abstinence-Only Sex Education Curriculum: An 18-Month Follow-up
by George Denny and Michael Young
This article examines the effect of a program given to middle school and high school students about abstinence. The results proved through a follow up survey that all the students were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse then comparison to students that didn't get the program. Then the article goes on to describe the differing curriculums and methods of teaching, or not teaching sexual education. Some of the results were contradictory on if sexual education decreased the amount of students having sexual intercourse.
This article is confusing with all of the differing outcomes that happen with the same tests. One study showed that the students were going to have sex regardless of what they have been taught and another study showed that they were almost 50% less likely to have sex after receiving a sexual education course. These contradictions could raise the idea that it depends on the setting of the school and the social background of the students on whether the students will become sexually active or not.
George, D (2006).An evaluation of absitence-only sex education: an 18 month follow up. Journal of School Health. 76, 414-422.
Sex Doesn't Harm Older Teens
By Sharon Jayson
This article explains how sexual intercourse isn’t bad for the mental health of teens 15 years or older. The teens younger than 15 and had had sexual intercourse were 14% more likely to be depressed later in life. Some people argued that this small percent are depressed perhaps because of other reason and not just because of their sexual promiscuity. People for comprehensive sexual education say this is means there should be more sexual education for students, instead of abstinence. They say that if the students were taught about the consequences of sexual activity they would be less likely to do it.
I would say that this article is very important when we think about sexual education because it shows which age group we should be focusing on the most. We can teach the younger students about this fact that if they have sex and the relationship doesn't last, like most teenage relationships, then maybe they would be less likely to have sex until they are a little older and have been taught some more about sex.
Jayson, S (2007, 5, 29). Sex doesn't harm older teens. USA Today,
Kids Consider Abstinence Only Sex Education a Suggestion
The article states that abstinence only sex education is coming off as only a suggestion to teens. The case study is about two rural and two urban schools. Half of the schools were given abstinence only education while the other half was taught sexual education. After the test, researchers found that both groups had the same outcomes. Both groups had about 50% of their students remain abstinent. Of the students that were having sex, most of them said they used a condom only some of the time or never.
This research proves that abstinence only education really isn’t working at all. So then why shouldn’t we at least teach the students about the proper ways to use contraceptives and all the risks involved with having sex?
(2007).Kids consider sex education only a suggestion. American School Board Journal. 194, 7.
Time Too Grow Up
This article does a very widespread survey of students from all differing teachings about sexual education. They found that regardless of what they students were taught, the likelihood of STDs, pregnancies, sexual activity and unprotected sex were basically the same. Then they decided that maybe they could have an “abstinence-plus” approach. This is teach students that abstinence is the best way to avoid all the consequences of having sex, but also teaching them how to properly use condoms, other contraceptives and giving them a knowledge base about STDs.
I find it very interesting that regardless of all the different tests from all of these different articles, the results are always the same. It seems teenagers are going to have sex no matter what we tell them. So we might as well teach them about the dangers so that they can be more prepared to prevent something from happening.
(2007).Time too grow up. Economist. 384
Should We Be Teaching Sex Education or Sexual Abstinence?
By Del Stover
This article looks at the debate over whether or not we should be teaching abstinences or sex education. The article raises the point that the problem isn’t if schools should be teaching the benefits of abstinence, but that the sexual education that is given leaves out major aspects of sexual education itself. Some say that sexual education should be all inclusive, with discussions about “contraception, sexual orientation, and other controversial subjects”. Some think that talking about these issues would increase the amount of sexual experimentation among students.
I think this is a good idea. It falls under the idea of the “abstinence-plus” form of education that was discussed in the other article. Teach the students that abstinence is the best way to go, but give them the information on everything else too because they most likely are going to have sex and should know how to deal with it when the time comes.
Stover, D (2007).Should we be teaching sex education or sexual abstinence?. Education Digest. 72, 41-48.
All resources found through EBSCOhost and ERIC, more resources available through those sources or any search engine.
Contributed by: Bryce L. Monahan
An Evaluation of an Abstinence-Only Sex Education Curriculum: An 18-Month Follow-up
by George Denny and Michael YoungThis article examines the effect of a program given to middle school and high school students about abstinence. The results proved through a follow up survey that all the students were less likely to engage in sexual intercourse then comparison to students that didn't get the program. Then the article goes on to describe the differing curriculums and methods of teaching, or not teaching sexual education. Some of the results were contradictory on if sexual education decreased the amount of students having sexual intercourse.
This article is confusing with all of the differing outcomes that happen with the same tests. One study showed that the students were going to have sex regardless of what they have been taught and another study showed that they were almost 50% less likely to have sex after receiving a sexual education course. These contradictions could raise the idea that it depends on the setting of the school and the social background of the students on whether the students will become sexually active or not.
George, D (2006).An evaluation of absitence-only sex education: an 18 month follow up. Journal of School Health. 76, 414-422.
Sex Doesn't Harm Older Teens
By Sharon JaysonThis article explains how sexual intercourse isn’t bad for the mental health of teens 15 years or older. The teens younger than 15 and had had sexual intercourse were 14% more likely to be depressed later in life. Some people argued that this small percent are depressed perhaps because of other reason and not just because of their sexual promiscuity. People for comprehensive sexual education say this is means there should be more sexual education for students, instead of abstinence. They say that if the students were taught about the consequences of sexual activity they would be less likely to do it.
I would say that this article is very important when we think about sexual education because it shows which age group we should be focusing on the most. We can teach the younger students about this fact that if they have sex and the relationship doesn't last, like most teenage relationships, then maybe they would be less likely to have sex until they are a little older and have been taught some more about sex.
Jayson, S (2007, 5, 29). Sex doesn't harm older teens. USA Today,
Kids Consider Abstinence Only Sex Education a Suggestion
The article states that abstinence only sex education is coming off as only a suggestion to teens. The case study is about two rural and two urban schools. Half of the schools were given abstinence only education while the other half was taught sexual education. After the test, researchers found that both groups had the same outcomes. Both groups had about 50% of their students remain abstinent. Of the students that were having sex, most of them said they used a condom only some of the time or never.
This research proves that abstinence only education really isn’t working at all. So then why shouldn’t we at least teach the students about the proper ways to use contraceptives and all the risks involved with having sex?
(2007).Kids consider sex education only a suggestion. American School Board Journal. 194, 7.
Time Too Grow Up
This article does a very widespread survey of students from all differing teachings about sexual education. They found that regardless of what they students were taught, the likelihood of STDs, pregnancies, sexual activity and unprotected sex were basically the same. Then they decided that maybe they could have an “abstinence-plus” approach. This is teach students that abstinence is the best way to avoid all the consequences of having sex, but also teaching them how to properly use condoms, other contraceptives and giving them a knowledge base about STDs.I find it very interesting that regardless of all the different tests from all of these different articles, the results are always the same. It seems teenagers are going to have sex no matter what we tell them. So we might as well teach them about the dangers so that they can be more prepared to prevent something from happening.
(2007).Time too grow up. Economist. 384
Should We Be Teaching Sex Education or Sexual Abstinence?
By Del StoverThis article looks at the debate over whether or not we should be teaching abstinences or sex education. The article raises the point that the problem isn’t if schools should be teaching the benefits of abstinence, but that the sexual education that is given leaves out major aspects of sexual education itself. Some say that sexual education should be all inclusive, with discussions about “contraception, sexual orientation, and other controversial subjects”. Some think that talking about these issues would increase the amount of sexual experimentation among students.
I think this is a good idea. It falls under the idea of the “abstinence-plus” form of education that was discussed in the other article. Teach the students that abstinence is the best way to go, but give them the information on everything else too because they most likely are going to have sex and should know how to deal with it when the time comes.
Stover, D (2007).Should we be teaching sex education or sexual abstinence?. Education Digest. 72, 41-48.
All resources found through EBSCOhost and ERIC, more resources available through those sources or any search engine.
EDC 102 Fnl Prj Part I Eval - Bryce